| History |
Page 1 of 3 History 199614 June 1996.Portland Observer Headline. NEW GROUP VOWS TO PUT TRAMS ON TRACK. Extract follows... A new committee has been formed to establish an operational cable tram system in Portland. The committee was formed by a group of people invited by the Glenelg Shire Council to visit the operators of the Bendigo Tourist Trams last week. Following the visit, the group agreed that an operational cable tram system would be a major tourist drawcard for Portland. Chairman of the new Portland Cable Trams Inc. Des Hein said the idea of an operational cable tram system should not be delayed any longer. Portland Cable Trams Inc. is to have tracks in the ground and facilities developed as quickly as possible. Much depends on the group raising substantial financial support from both private and government sources. Construction of a new grip car has started with volunteer labor and the group has access to a saloon car tram for the initial rolling stock. Mr. Hein said Portland Cable Trams Inc. regarded as unfortunate the Portland Vintage Car Club's decision to do nothing with its three cable trams until after proposed museum extensions have been completed. However, the group's rolling stock arrangements will overcome the unavailability of the Portland Vintage Car Club's rolling stock. On the other hand, Mr. Hein said if the Portland Vintage Car Club was to see its way clear to include their rolling stock in the new venture, it would be most welcolme. The new group feared that if the project was not proceeded with immediately, any chance Portland has of having cable trams on track would be lost forever. 17 June 1996. Portland Observer Headline. TRAMS ON TRACK FOR SUMMER. Extract follows... Portland's new cable tram group has become a fully incorporated organisation with the signing of the Articles of Incorporation last week. The proposed route for stage one of the track project runs from a loop at the water tower lookout south down Bentinck St, down through the former railway cutting onto the foreshore area. The group is now actively looking for financial support and sponsorship from a variety of sources, including Government, private sector and public donations. We want to provide a tramway service (which will link into) the proposed maritime museum and visitor information centre. Portland Cable Trams Inc. office bearers are Des Hein (chairman), Ian Moody (vice chairman), Philip Ruge (secretary/public officer), Margaret Punton (treasurer) and Keith McMillan (projects manager). Committee members are Ken Douglass, Syd Cuffe, Daryl Churchill, Paul O'Bree, John Punton, Noel Waugh, Peter Malcolm, David Punton, and Glenelg Shire Council representative Cr Mel Bartlett. 21 June 1996. Portland Observer Headline. NEW TENSION WITH CLUB THREE SUSPENDED. Extract follows... Bitterness over Portland Vintage Car Club, other parties and conflicting cable car-related strategies has led to club suspension of three members. One of the three members, David Punton, was present at the club meeting as an apparent majority of members voted action against him, Ken Douglass and Keith McMillan. The trio is involved with the new Portland Cable Trams Inc, the centre of recent publicity about members' Bendigo visit and the group's aim to establish a cable tram system in Portland. Mr. Punton claimed tourism leader Peter Malcolm was at the meeting to address it. However, Mr. Malcolm's address did not proceed. It had been learnt Mr. Malcolm was a member of Portland Cable Trams Inc, and he was asked to leave. 02 August 1996. Portland Observer Headline. TRAMWAY EXPERT: GO FOR IT, PORTLAND! Extract follows... Portland has a 'unique opportunity' for a tramway because it can link up many physical and scenic features, according to a tramways expert. Bill Kingsley, of Melbourne, was speaking as he walked a section of Portland's botanic gardens which are part of a proposed route for tramway tourism. Mr. Kingsley is a retired transport engineer, his speciality being tramway operations. He was also head of a Footscray college's department of civil engineering. After retirement, he renewed his involvement with tram projects, including those of Christchurch and Bendigo, as an engineer or driver. Keith Kings, of Melbourne, also retired, was another visitor in Portland at the invitation of Portland Cable Trams Inc. Mr. Kings has had trams as a hobby during a half-century, drives trams for the Bendigo system, and is involved with a trams museum near Kilmore. |